How does snoring occur

What's this? Overview Many people snore when they sleep. Related MedlinePlus Health Topics. Browse the Encyclopedia. Our editors and medical experts rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure the information is factual, up-to-date, and free of bias.

Updated February 5, Written by Alexa Fry. Medically Reviewed by Heather Wright. What Are Common Causes of Snoring? Alcohol and Sedative Medication Alcohol and other sedatives cause snoring by relaxing the muscles that support tissue around the airway. Smoking Cigarette smoking is another risk factor for snoring. Head and Neck Anatomy Related Reading. Sign up below for your free gift. Your privacy is important to us. Was this article helpful? Yes No. Heather Wright Pathologist MD.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Darien, IL. Schwab, R. Merck Manual Professional Version: Snoring. Medical Encyclopedia. Obstructive sleep apnea - adults. Snoring - adults. Issa, F. Alcohol, snoring and sleep apnea. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, 45 4 , — Bloom, J. Risk factors in a general population for snoring. Importance of cigarette smoking and obesity. Chest, 93 4 , — Dzieciolowska-Baran, E. Snoring - the role of the laryngologist in diagnosing and treating its causes.

European journal of medical research, 14 Suppl 4 Suppl 4 , 67— Fried, M. Young, T. Chronic nasal congestion at night is a risk factor for snoring in a population-based cohort study. Archives of internal medicine, 12 , — Nakano, H. Effects of body position on snoring in apneic and nonapneic snorers. Develop a good sleep hygiene program by getting consistent sleep on a comfortable bed, in a dark, cool room.

Experts link inadequate sleep with weight gain, which can lead to snoring. This is the first-line treatment for people with obstructive sleep apnea. A person wears a specialized mask during sleep that delivers pressurized air. In some cases, surgery may help resolve severe snoring. Several options are available for people with snoring or sleep apnea, but results are often difficult to predict and less robust than CPAP. They include :.

Heavy snoring and sleep apnea can disrupt sleep, leading to fatigue and difficulty concentrating. A lack of sleep can also increase the risk of some mental health issues. If a person experiences severe snoring, especially with other symptoms, they may wish to seek medical advice.

A medical professional or dental specialist can help determine any underlying causes, and they may suggest ways of stopping or reducing snoring. Snoring occurs due to the airway tissues vibrating during sleep. It can occur for various reasons. Snoring may indicate a medical condition. It can also lead to embarrassment and can disrupt the sleep of the person and other nearby partners or people. A look at lifestyle changes and treatments developed to reduce or eliminate snoring.

We also discuss coping strategies and when to see a doctor. Alcohol, smoking, and medications. Alcohol intake, smoking, and certain medications, such as tranquilizers like lorazepam Ativan and diazepam Valium , can increase muscle relaxation leading to more snoring. Sleep posture. Sleeping flat on your back causes the flesh of your throat to relax and block the airway. Changing your sleep position can help. Snoring could indicate sleep apnea , a serious sleep disorder where your breathing is briefly interrupted many times each night.

Call your doctor if you or your sleep partner have noticed any of the following red flags:. Monitoring your snoring for patterns can often help you pinpoint the reasons why you snore, what makes it worse, and how to go about stopping it. To identify important patterns, it helps to keep a sleep diary or use a sleep tracking app.

If you have a sleep partner, they can help you fill it in. If you sleep alone, set up a camera to record yourself at night. There are so many bizarre anti-snoring devices available on the market today, with more being added all the time, that finding the right solution for your snoring can seem like a daunting task.

Unfortunately, many of these devices are not backed up by research, or they work by simply keeping you awake at night. There are, however, plenty of proven techniques that can help eliminate snoring.

Not every remedy is right for every person, though, so putting a stop to your snoring may require patience, lifestyle changes, and a willingness to experiment with different solutions. Change your sleeping position. Elevating your head four inches may ease breathing and encourage your tongue and jaw to move forward.

There are specifically designed pillows available to help prevent snoring by making sure your neck muscles are not crimped. Sleep on your side instead of your back. Try attaching a tennis ball to the back of a pajama top or T-shirt you can sew a sock to the back of your top then put a tennis ball inside.

If you roll over onto your back, the discomfort of the tennis ball will cause you to turn back onto your side. Alternatively, wedge a pillow stuffed with tennis balls behind your back. After a while, sleeping on your side will become a habit and you can dispense with the tennis balls.

Try an anti-snoring mouth appliance. While a dentist-made appliance can be expensive, cheaper do-it-yourself kits are also available. Clear nasal passages. If you have a stuffy nose, rinse sinuses with saline before bed. Using a neti pot, nasal decongestant, or nasal strips can also help you breathe more easily while sleeping. If you have allergies, reduce dust mites and pet dander in your bedroom or use an allergy medication. Keep bedroom air moist.

Dry air can irritate membranes in your nose and throat, so if swollen nasal tissues are the problem, a humidifier may help. Lose weight. Losing even a little bit of weight can reduce fatty tissue in the back of the throat and decrease, or even stop, snoring. Quit smoking. If you smoke, your chances of snoring are high. Smoking irritates the membranes in the nose and throat which can block the airways and cause snoring.

While quitting is easier said than done , it can bring quick snoring relief. Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and sedatives because they relax the muscles in the throat and interfere with breathing.